The American Trucking Associations recently sent a letter urging the Senate Commerce Committee to confirm Robin Hutcheson as Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator. Signed by ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, the letter points to her experience as Acting FMCSA Administrator as the primary reason to give her the post.
“Ms. Hutcheson has deep experience in transportation administration, having previously served as director of public works for the City of Minneapolis and transportation director for Salt Lake City, which makes her well qualified and prepared for this important role. Moreover, throughout Ms. Hutcheson’s tenure as Acting and Deputy Administrator of FMCSA, we have been particularly impressed by her candid, collaborative, and valuable engagement with motor carriers, drivers, and stakeholders throughout the industry,” the letter reportedly states.
“Her leadership comes at a critical time for the agency. The pandemic, supply chain challenges, workforce shortages, and other factors are continuing to impact freight transportation in ways never seen before. America’s trucking industry is the backbone of our economy, and we depend on partners in government who utilize data and stakeholder input to meet real-world needs and ensure the safe movement of freight across our nation’s highways,” the letter states.
Hutcheson recently stared down Senators who questioned the direction the FMCSA might take under her leadership. Although she positioned herself as a pro-safety administrator, at least one of her possible initiatives stood out as controversial. The candidate reportedly told the Senate committee she would close so-called “loopholes” in federal Clearinghouse drug and alcohol testing.
The Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly considering revised guidelines that would introduce hair drug testing for truckers. Such a move would identify truckers who may have used marijuana — legal in 18 states — as far back as 90 days.
The FMCSA continues to sideline thousands of truckers for off-duty recreation use. Its official position is that “a driver may not use marijuana even if (it) is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner. Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing.”
Nearly 90,000 truckers have been sidelined as of April 1, 2022, and more than 67,000 did not reportedly start the reintegration process. The country suffers from an 80,000 truck driver shortage. Testing 90 days back would likely result in more CDL holders getting suspended and not returning even though they did not drive while impaired.
“We are working with Health and Human Services; they are completing a study, and when it is complete, we stand ready to implement their recommendations,” Hutcheson reportedly said during the Senate Commerce Committee nomination hearing. “If confirmed, I will continue to work with you in closing those loopholes.”
The ATA reportedly supports alternative drug testing methods such as hair samples.
Sources: politico.com, wafb.com, freightwaves.com
Marijuana is a drug, even if you are under a “doctors” care, just like many legal drugs, you cannot operate or drive after using or as long as in your system. If you need certain types of medication, then you need a different type of job, not safety sensitive. Same goes with certain heart or diabetes conditions.
I don’t want dopehead drivers menacing the public. Good riddance!
She’s a disaster already. She’s stated that there’s a driver shortage which is a lie. The problems out here will never be fixed if they continue to pretend to chase these falsehoods that they know are false.